Cat leap (Balance Beam)

Event
Balance beam

Skill type
Dance

Known asCat leap
Cat
Was that a skill

Named after
Cats. You know how cats do that thing where they alternating lift both of their legs above horizontal? No? You mean you’ve seen a cat before and that’s literally never happened to any cat ever? Cool.

AboutThe most important thing to know is that the cat leap is barely a skill, especially as currently conceived. There’s supposed to be some degree of flight and unique position (see the third drawing in the skill image, that’s what it should look like), but especially in NCAA where the skill is exceptionally common because it can garner bonus preceding acro elements, it basically just involves walking with high knees, and it’s not great.

Because it’s still an A element in elite, and therefore not useful in combination, this hasn’t caught on in elite gymnastics. Otherwise you know it would.